President John Dramani Mahama has announced significant progress in the investigations surrounding the 13th African Games, held in Accra in March 2024. During a televised address marking his administration’s first 120 days, the President reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability in government operations.
“A cornerstone of our commitment to good governance and accountability is tackling corruption and eliminating waste,” President Mahama stated. “I promised to initiate inquiries and forensic audits into several critical matters of public interest. This war against corruption continues unabated.”
The Games, which reportedly cost the nation $245 million, have come under scrutiny due to allegations of financial mismanagement. Specific concerns include the expenditure of $15 million on meals for athletes and officials and $4.5 million allocated to the management system and accreditation tags.
In response to these concerns, President Mahama confirmed that several officials implicated in the controversy have been invited for questioning. While the identities of these individuals have not been disclosed, it is known that former Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif was interrogated by the National Investigation Bureau in April, though it remains unclear whether this was directly related to the Games’ finances.
This investigation is part of a broader initiative by the Mahama administration to address corruption and ensure fiscal responsibility. Other significant probes include an independent audit of the National Cathedral project by Deloitte & Touche, expected to be completed by the end of May, and inquiries into the collapse of indigenous banks and financial institutions.
President Mahama has also indicated that charges will soon be filed concerning the Accra SkyTrain and the National Service Scheme ghost names scandals, further emphasizing his government’s dedication to rooting out corruption.
As the investigations progress, the Ghanaian public awaits the outcomes, hopeful that these efforts will lead to greater transparency and accountability in the nation’s governance.
